Roger Williams Fellowship at the 2009 Pasadena Biennial of ABCUSA
Many of you were present at our Roger Williams Fellowship dinner in Pasadena. We had scaled back expectations in view of the historically low number of reservations for this biennial, but once again we had a roomful of lively lovers of Baptist freedoms, and an unexpectedly delightful program.
Betty Mae Shear at the RWF DinnerIf you were not there, you probably don't know that our dinner speaker Dave Hunt, former ABCUSA president and speaker of the Oregon State House of Representatives, had to cancel mere hours before the event, as he was detained in Oregon attempting to organize an override of the Oregon governor's veto of important education funding. In other words, living out his Christian values in the messy arena of public life...
In his absence, we were treated to a delightful presentation about imprtant events and persons in the life of RWF by our long-time secretary-treasurer and keeper of the flame, Betty Mae Shear, who was retiring from the board this year. Living in these days that may be freer of intraABC conflict, but in a culture that is characterized by multiple temptations to sell our precious heritage of freedom for a mess of pottage, Roger Williams Fellowship is challenged to find new purpose. Betty Mae's retrieval of our past was a precious resource for beginning to envision our future.
Along with Betty Mae Shearer, retiring board member Sally Dodgson was also recognised, new board members David Van Brakle and Ryon Price were presented for election, and the following officers were elected: Marcus McFaul, president, Deborah Hughes, vice-president, and yours truly , secretary-treasurer. Betty Mae also presented her final treasurer's report.
The future beckons. Freedom is in the dock. You'll be hearing from us.